Member Profile – Patrick Howlett

Member Profile on

BY TONY MACDONALD, TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN (RETIRED)

Patrick Howlett graduated from Malvern Collegiate in 1983. It was not a surprise that he was awarded the Senior Athlete of the year, since he was involved in so many sports for his school. He also played the trumpet for the Senior Marching and Dance Band. They played many important gigs, such as the Grey Cup Half-Time Show, Grey Cup Parade,

Santa Claus Parade, and a College Bowl Half-Time Show. He graduated from Centennial College, with a Recreation Leadership Certificate. Throughout his high school and college years, he worked for Parks and Recreation at Adam Beck Community Centre and Balmy Beach Community School. He was Beck Community Centre and Balmy Beach Community School. He was then hired full-time after college. then hired full-time after college. Patrick started with the Toronto Fire Department on February 6th, Patrick started with the Toronto Fire Department on February 6th, 1989. He was trained at Yorkville and then, as was the practice back 1989. He was trained at Yorkville and then, as was the practice back then, he was moved around from station to station. He worked on A343, then, he was moved around from station to station. He worked on A343, A312, then worked at Regent Park on the Aerial, Pumper and the Rescue. A312, then worked at Regent Park on the Aerial, Pumper and the Rescue. After getting picked up as an Acting Captain, he worked on A135, A322, After getting picked up as an Acting Captain, he worked on A135, A322, R325, A324, then P334. When promoted to Captain in 2014, he started R325, A324, then P334. When promoted to Captain in 2014, he started on A322, then went to Haz332, HR332, & P334. In 2019, as an Acting on A322, then went to Haz332, HR332, & P334. In 2019, as an Acting District Chief he worked on P212, and is currently on P332 as the District Chief he worked on P212, and is currently on P332 as the Captain and also ADC, and APC. Captain and also ADC, and APC. That’s a lot of different trucks! We mention this for the That’s a lot of different trucks! We mention this for the younger firefighters, who now see most firefighters stay younger firefighters, who now see most firefighters stay at one station for many years. Back in the day, most fire at one station for many years. Back in the day, most fire departments moved their staff around constantly. At a departments moved their staff around constantly. At a glance, you can see that Patrick has spent time on Aerials, glance, you can see that Patrick has spent time on Aerials, Pumpers, Rescues, Haz-Mat, High Rise, and Chief Cars. It is Pumpers, Rescues, Haz-Mat, High Rise, and Chief Cars. It is possible that a District Chief with the experience of working possible that a District Chief with the experience of working on that many trucks, might have a greater knowledge of on that many trucks, might have a greater knowledge of the capabilities of each truck than a District Chief who only the capabilities of each truck than a District Chief who only worked on one or two types of truck. It looks like the only worked on one or two types of truck. It looks like the only type of truck that Patrick hasn’t worked on is a Squad. type of truck that Patrick hasn’t worked on is a Squad. In 2005, Patrick saw a request for volunteers for Camp In 2005, Patrick saw a request for volunteers for Camp BUCKO on the Association Website. Camp BUCKO is the Burn BUCKO on the Association Website. Camp BUCKO is the Burn Camp for Kids in Ontario. He was interested, and subsequently met with Camp for Kids in Ontario. He was interested, and subsequently met with Camp Director Nancy Sinclair. Patrick says, “She was a burn survivor, Camp Director Nancy Sinclair. Patrick says, “She was a burn survivor, and the most spirited and incredible lady you could imagine.” He was and the most spirited and incredible lady you could imagine.” He was welcomed into the BUCKO family, and has been with them ever since. welcomed into the BUCKO family, and has been with them ever since. He started out as a Cabin Counsellor for seven years. He was on the He started out as a Cabin Counsellor for seven years. He was on the Board Of Directors for ten years, and has served as the President for the Board Of Directors for ten years, and has served as the President for the last six years. last six years.

on Patrick Howlett

(and Camp BUCKO)

Patrick says “Both the Association and TFS Management have been very supportive of Camp BUCKO with donations, equipment, vehicles, etc. TFS members have been represented well at BUCKO as counsellors, camp specialists, as well as Board members. Pat Hayter serves as Vice-President and his energy and fundraising has helped BUCKO immensely.

TFS Management and the Association collaborated to enable our membership to volunteer themselves as ‘subs without payback’ for the members who volunteer their time at camp.

The camp runs for seven days and six nights at Cedar Ridge Camp in McArthurs Mills, Ontario, 25 minutes north of Bancroft. Volunteers come from varied backgrounds, including retirees, nurses, teachers, paramedics, dairy farmers, Ontario Fire Marshall personnel, IT professionals, police officers, and firefighters.

Each year, Camp BUCKO has approximately 60 to 70 burn survivors between the ages of 7 and 17, from Ontario, who escape to a beautiful camp and enjoy horseback riding, canoeing, high ropes courses, arts and crafts, kayaking, swimming, stand up paddle boarding, tubing, fishing, zorb balls on the lake, and many more exciting activities. “Our camp provides these courageous burn survivors the opportunity to just be a kid and enjoy the company of other burn survivors, without the fear of being made fun of, or having their scars judged by others. Parents always comment on what a change Camp BUCKO has made in their child’s life and how they always come home with newfound confidence and inspiration.”

Camp BUCKO is a registered charity and is offered completely free of charge, including the transportation of all of the campers, thanks to the generosity of sponsors throughout the year.

Some of the sponsors of funds or equipment, who are associated with TFS are the Toronto Professional Firefighters’ Association, the Toronto Firefighter’s Celtic Society, the Jimmy Lou Charity Hockey Tournament (in honour of the memory of Jim and Mary Louise Hayter), TFS recruit classes, Toronto Fire Prevention golf tournament, Toronto Firefighter’s Toy Drive, district hockey challenges, as well as individual donations from our membership. “Camp BUCKO would literally not be able to offer our program to our campers without the support of ALL of our sponsors”.

Camp BUCKO also provides an opportunity for families to spend a weekend in September with other families of burn survivors to offer support, activities and advice to families for when they go through challenging times. Once again, there is no cost to families, due to the generous support of sponsors.

“One of the many highlights of camp week is a lunch that is provided and cooked by Celebrity Chef Ted Reader. Ted has donated all of the food and his culinary skills for this lunch that is much appreciated and talked about by our campers for many years. It is always a showstopper”.

Another program offered to the campers is a camper exchange with Camp OO-U-La in Georgia where two of our campers, along with two volunteer chaperones, have the opportunity to spend a week at their burn camp and experience different programs, meet new friends and for most of them, take their first trip on an airplane. Camp OO-U-La in turn, brings two campers and chaperones up to Camp BUCKO in August.

Camp BUCKO sponsors one family, usually new to the burn community, to go to the World Burn Congress each year, to meet burn survivors and their families from around the world. Each year, this Congress is rotated between the cities of Grand Rapids, Anaheim and Providence RI. The Congress gives the families the ability to meet other families who are going through similar situations and affords them the ability to continue along their road to recovery from devastating injuries. The Congress has guest speakers, support groups, social outings, workshops and many activities that help support the burn community.

“We also send one camper and one chaperone each year to the IAFF Burn Camp in Washington DC that is run by and funded by the IAFF. This is yet again, another opportunity for us to provide our campers with a week filled with fun, different perspective on their injuries, and the chance to meet new friends for life”.

Camp BUCKO has an on-site social worker who our campers and volunteers can talk to if they need someone to listen and advise with anything. They also have two nurses who volunteer for the week who look after anything from scrapes, bumps and bruises, to changing burn dressings and even giving some TLC to the odd camper who may be feeling a little homesick.

“Our camp is staffed by volunteers who donate a weekend of their time for orientation in June and a week of their time for camp in August. We are so very fortunate to have so many people who are willing to volunteer time away from their own families and friends in the summer to provide such great leadership and mentorship to our amazing campers.

Camp BUCKO, as a registered charity, is required to have a Board of Directors, which facilitates everything to do with the running of camp. These are also volunteer positions and require many hours of work each year. Camp BUCKO has six directors that work as a team and genuinely have a passion for Camp BUCKO. Current TFS members serving on the Board are Patrick Howlett and Pat Hayter.

“We have one incredible Camp Administrator who has been with BUCKO for 19 years. Wendy Miller works her magic year after year and makes it seem effortless. The continuing success of Camp BUCKO is in the hands of many, but none more than Wendy. For those of you who have had the good fortune to meet her, you are probably nodding your head while reading this.”

We have faced the same challenges through this pandemic that the rest of the world has and, like everybody else, we hope this ends soon. Last year we had to cancel camp, since we will never do anything to jeopardize the health and safety of our campers, their families, or our volunteers. We are keeping our fingers crossed that we can somehow offer a safe camp this year to celebrate our 25th Camp!!!! A huge milestone for a charity and camp!”

“I feel very fortunate to be able to serve alongside the incredible team of TFS firefighters, prevention officers, mechanical division members, management team, administrators and ALL support personnel who have allowed me to pursue the job I have always considered the best job in the world. TFS was the team that introduced me to Camp BUCKO, where I have met the most courageous and brave group of kids, and some of the most selfless, giving and fun volunteers. I want to say THANK YOU to all of you. Stay safe and all the best to you and your families”.

Please visit our website at, www.campbucko.ca to check out some great videos, information on our camp, how to volunteer or donate or pass it along to someone you know who may be a burn survivor and is looking for support.

Patrick is the proud uncle of three boys (triplets), Matthew, Samuel and Benjamin (God Father to Benjamin) as well as one niece, Kaitlyn. Proud to also be the God Father of Tianna-Raye (daughter of his dear friends Linda and Frank).

We know that many firefighters are deeply involved in volunteering for their community, and Patrick is a great example of this trait. Some of his other volunteer activities include Variety Village, Ted Reeve Skating and Hockey School. He was the Assistant Coach of the Toronto Marlboro triple A Bantam and Midgets for four years. While he was the Head Coach at Malvern for 7 years, he coached Chris Weir (332), Mike Cairns (226), and Paul Van Der Groef (226) who are all TFS firefighters! Someone who coached with him at Malvern was Paul Versace, who is now a Platoon Chief in East Command (D Platoon).

Patrick was also the Sports Director at Big Doe Boys Camp and was a counsellor at Camp Oochigeas, which is a camp for kids with cancer, run by Sick Kids Hospital.

Congratulations for giving back to so many Patrick! Volunteers like you make us all proud.